is for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.”
He said to her, “Then instruct one of your two sons.”
She replied, “They are only boys, and boys like them cannot grant protection.”
He said, “Then speak to ʿAlī.”
She answered, “You speak to him yourself.” So he went to ʿAlī and spoke with him.
ʿAlī said, “Abū Sufyān, none of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ goes ahead of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in granting protection. Yet you are the leader of Quraysh—its eldest and most formidable—so offer security to your own clan.”
Abū Sufyān replied, “You are right, and that is what I shall do.”
He went out and cried, “Hear me! I have granted protection to the people, and, by Allah, I do not think anyone will violate my guarantee.”
He then entered upon the Prophet ﷺ and said, “Muḥammad, I have granted protection to the people, and, by Allah, I do not think anyone will betray me or reject my guarantee.”
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Is that something you say, Abū Ḥanzalah?!”
Abū Sufyān withdrew on that note, and it is reported—Allah knows best—that when he turned away the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
“O Allah, seize their hearing and their sight, so that they see us only suddenly and hear of us only unexpectedly.”
When Abū Sufyān reached Mecca, the Quraysh asked him, “What news do you bring? Have you come with a letter or a treaty from Muḥammad?”
He replied, “No, by Allah. He refused me, and I visited his Companions; never have I seen a people more obedient to their leader than they are to him. ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib did say to me, ‘Why do you not seek protection for the people in the presence of Muḥammad, and why do you not grant security to your own folk? You are the chief of Quraysh—its eldest and the one whose guarantee should never be violated.’ So I proclaimed protection, then went in to Muḥammad and told him what I had done, adding that I did not think anyone would betray me. He replied, ‘Is that something you say, Abū Ḥanzalah?!’”
They answered him, “You have accepted something without our consent and brought us what helps neither us nor you. ʿAlī has merely played with you. By Allah, your guarantee is invalid, and breaking it would be easy.”
He then went to his wife and told her what had happened. She said, “May Allah disgrace you, envoy of your people! You have brought no good.”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a cloud and said, “That cloud will pour down victory for the Banū Kaʿb.”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ stayed as long as Allah willed after Abū Sufyān left, then began his preparations. He instructed ʿĀʾishah to equip him while keeping the matter secret. Later he stepped out to the mosque—or on some errand—and Abū Bakr entered upon ʿĀʾishah, finding her sifting and cleaning wheat.
He asked, “My daughter, why are you preparing this food?” She remained silent.
He said, “Is the Messenger of Allah ﷺ planning a campaign?” She stayed silent.
He said, “Is he heading against Banū al-Aṣfar—the Byzantines?” Silence.
He said, “Perhaps he intends the people of Najd?” Silence.
He said, “Perhaps he intends Quraysh?” Silence.
Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered, and Abū Bakr said, “Messenger of Allah, do you intend to set out?”
He replied, “Yes.”
Abū Bakr asked, “Perhaps against Banū al-Aṣfar?”
“No.”
“Against the people of Najd?”
“No.”
“Then perhaps against Quraysh?”
“Yes.”
Abū Bakr said, “Messenger of Allah, is there not still a term remaining between you and them?”
He replied, “Has news not reached you of what they did to Banū Kaʿb?”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then announced to the people that they were to march out, and Ḥāṭib ibn Abī Baltaʿah wrote to the Quraysh. Allah informed His Messenger ﷺ of the letter, and the full story will be related in due course.